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Alexandria zoning board approves second-story side-yard addition on East Mount Ida Avenue

Alexandria zoning board approves second-story side-yard addition on East Mount Ida Avenue

Rule Changes Alexandria, VA local

Board voted 4-0 to approve the side-yard special exception as submitted

October 19th, 2026: Public hearing held on 520 East Mount Ida Avenue

Overview

Updated Oct 24

Alexandria's Board of Zoning Appeals voted 4-0 on October 19 to let Vivek Narula add a second story to his house at 520 East Mount Ida Avenue, with the addition inside the required side yard. The R-2-5 single-family zoning normally blocks that.

The October 19 action docket records the request as approved as submitted. Narula can build the addition as drawn; without the special exception the plan would have needed a redesign.

Why it matters

The 4-0 vote shows Alexandria's zoning board will grant side-yard exceptions in single-family districts, a signal for nearby owners with similar plans.

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Key Indicators

4-0
BZA vote on BZA2026-00016
Motion to approve the special exception as submitted carried at the October 19 meeting.
R-2-5
Zoning district at 520 East Mount Ida Avenue
Single-family residential district where the side-yard special exception was granted.

Voices

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People Involved

VN
Vivek Narula
Applicant, BZA2026-00016
Won a 4-0 Board of Zoning Appeals vote approving his side-yard special exception on October 19, 2026
L
Liu
Chair, Alexandria Board of Zoning Appeals
Chair of the Board of Zoning Appeals in 2026
B
Bauman
Vice Chair, Alexandria Board of Zoning Appeals
Vice chair of the Board of Zoning Appeals in 2026

Organizations Involved

City of Alexandria Board of Zoning Appeals
City of Alexandria Board of Zoning Appeals
Appointed city board
Approved the Mount Ida side-yard special exception 4-0 on October 19, 2026

Seven-member appointed board that hears requests for variances and special exceptions under Alexandria's zoning ordinance.
Alexandria Department of Planning and Zoning
Alexandria Department of Planning and Zoning
City department
Staff support; accepts public comments before the hearing

City staff who prepare BZA dockets and receive written public comments ahead of hearings.

Timeline

May 2026 October 2026

5 events Latest: October 19th, 2026 · 3 weeks ago
Tap a bar to jump to that date

  1. Public hearing held on 520 East Mount Ida Avenue

    Latest Hearing

    The board heard staff findings and public comment on the second-story side-yard special exception, then took up the request the same night.

  2. BZA approves Mount Ida side-yard special exception 4-0

    Decision

    The board approved BZA2026-00016 as submitted, with the motion carrying 4-0, according to the meeting's action docket.

  3. Agenda published listing Mount Ida hearing

    Notice

    The Board of Zoning Appeals agenda lists BZA2026-00016, 520 East Mount Ida Avenue, for a special exception hearing on October 19.

  4. BZA approves three residential additions

    Decision

    The board approved three residential addition requests, each 6-0, and deferred a deck and open-space variance request 5-1.

  5. BZA denies Cross Drive variance

    Decision

    The board denied a variance for 1030 Cross Drive by 5-2 and approved a special exception for 2411 Ridge Road Drive 7-0.

Historical Context

3 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

September 2026

Board approves three residential additions 6-0 (September 2026)

At its September 14 meeting the Board of Zoning Appeals approved three residential addition requests, each on a 6-0 vote, and deferred a deck and open-space variance request 5-1.

Then

All three additions moved forward with the board's approval.

Now

The votes marked a run of residential additions the board granted without recorded dissent.

Why this matters now

The Mount Ida request was the next residential addition on the board's calendar, and it also passed, 4-0.

May 2026

Variance denied at 1030 Cross Drive (May 2026)

The board denied a variance for 1030 Cross Drive by 5-2, its largest negative margin on a residential request this term.

Then

The request failed and the property owner lost the relief sought.

Now

Demonstrates that the board will say no when applicants do not meet the standards for relief.

Why this matters now

Shows the October 19 outcome is not automatic — approval is common, but denial happens.

February 2026

Front porch special exception at 409 East Custis (February 2026)

The board approved a special exception to construct a front porch at 409 East Custis Avenue and re-elected its officers the same night.

Then

The porch request was granted without recorded opposition.

Now

Another 2026 example of the board approving special exceptions in residential zoning districts.

Why this matters now

Reinforces the board's pattern of granting special exceptions where the request fits the ordinance's standards.

Sources

(6)
City of Alexandria Legistar The Common News Alexandria Times City of Alexandria Legistar City of Alexandria City of Alexandria Legistar